Ed White

Harrogate Town have signed 34-year-old defender Nat Brown following Matt Bloomer's move to Cleethorpes Town.

Bloomer signed dual registration at Cleethorpes on Wednesday before making his debut in a 1-1 draw against Handsworth Parramore.

Town boss Simon Weaver had originally hinted that he was close to securing the services of a young defender from a Yorkshire Championship club.

Weaver went to watch the defender in an U21s clash in midweek and was hoping to bring a new addition to the Town squad before Saturday's trip to Tamworth.

However, the gaffer has opted to bring the experienced figure of Brown to the CNG Stadium instead.

In a 15-year career as a professional, the tall defender has played for Huddersfield Town, Wrexham, Macclesfield Town as well as two spells at Lincoln.

Nat Brown challenges new Harrogate Town colleague Paul Clayton, then at Alfreton.

Bloomer has been an integral part of Simon Weaver's playing staff since joining from Boston United in 2009 and has filled a number of positions in the team.

However,he has often found himself down the defensive pecking order and has been kept out of the starting 11 this season by Luke Shiels, Dave McGurk and Danny Ellis.

With Shiels requiring an operation to fix a knee problem and McGurk receiving pain-relieving injections, the 37-year-old may have been poised for a run in the team.

However he decided to find minutes at Northern Counties East League promotion candidates Cleethorpes.

Weaver said: "Bloomes has joined Cleethorpes on dual-registration. This enables him to get some minutes under his belt immediately to keep him sharp.

"Bloomes, as everyone knows, is well thought of by everyone at the club. He is tremendously loyal but everyone wins in this scenario as he remains available to us throughout his time with Cleethorpes."